Published: 24 June 2026
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has shown strong progress in its latest inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), achieving ‘good’ ratings in six areas and ‘adequate’ in the remaining four.
Its last inspection, in 2023, saw the service rated good in one area, adequate in three areas and requires improvement in seven areas.
The inspection assessed the service across three core pillars: people, efficiency and effectiveness. The report recognises improvements made by the service since the previous inspection.
Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer at SFRS, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our team members across the service who contributed towards this positive report. Everyone in this service has worked so unbelievably hard in the last few years and this report gives everyone the confidence that we are on the right pathway.
“We also welcome the areas in the report that highlight room for improvement - our focus will now shift to ensuring we can deliver the projects and services for the people of Surrey.”
The full report can be read on the HMICFRS website, but to summarise, here are the categories and subsequent gradings:
Good:
- Understanding fires and other risks
- Protecting the public through fire regulation
- Responding to major and multi-agency incidents
- Promoting, embedding and improving values and culture
- Training and developing the right people with the right skills
- Leading people effectively
Adequate:
- Preventing fires and other risks
- Responding to fires and other emergencies
- Making best use of resources to provide an efficient and affordable service
- Ensuring fairness and diversity
Kevin Deanus, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue, said: “This inspection recognises the fantastic progress Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has made and the dedication of its staff in keeping Surrey’s communities safe.
“It is particularly encouraging that the inspectorate has highlighted the continued improvement in culture, increased prevention work and improvement in protection activity. It has also been noted that the service is preparing well for Local Government Reorganisation which should be reassuring for communities as the service undertakes this period of transition. A huge well done to the whole service.”
The full inspection report is available on the HMICFRS website.